Nixon signs bills to benefit veterans, active military

Gov. Jay Nixon Thursday signed into law three bills containing provisions that benefit military veterans, active military and Missouri National Guard members, and that honor several Missouri soldiers who died while serving their country.

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By Staff Reports

The Lake News Online

By Staff Reports

Posted Jul. 3, 2014 at 3:31 PM

By Staff Reports

Posted Jul. 3, 2014 at 3:31 PM

Gov. Jay Nixon Thursday signed into law three bills containing provisions that benefit military veterans, active military and Missouri National Guard members, and that honor several Missouri soldiers who died while serving their country.

Senate Bill 600 waives various business fees paid to the Secretary of State for Missouri residents who are members of the Missouri National Guard or active military; this provision was supported by Secretary of State Jason Kander. In addition, the bill will establish a specialty license plate for women veterans; eliminate the $15 fee for Gold Star license plates; create medallion programs for veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, Desert Shield and Desert Storm; and authorize the expansion of the medallion programs for World War II, Korea and Vietnam to include Missouri National Guard veterans who are not Missouri residents.

House Bill 1724 expands the help given to the families of deployed reservists and Guardsmen under the Military Family Relief Fund. The bill also eliminates the requirement that reservists must have been called to active duty as a result of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in order to receive assistance.

House Bill 1866 names several bridges and highways in honor of various Missourians, including three for Missouri soldiers who died in the line of duty: the Spc. Justin Blake Carter Memorial Highway for Life on U.S. Hwy. 60 in Wright County; the James R. Ledbetter Memorial Bridge on Mo. Hwy. 5 in Laclede County; and the SGM Patrick R. Hurley Memorial Highway on Mo. Hwy. U in Washington County.